April 2011 Newsletter

TH E
GOLD E N
N U GGE T
April 2011
11-04
PROGRAM CORNER
When:
April 14, 2011
Where:
1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S. 231),
Montgomery, AL 36109
REMEMBER TO PARK in the back of the building and use the back
entrance!
Time:
7:00 P M
What:
A General Conversation about Alabama’s Geology
Who:
Thad Cheatham and a cast of other members
Everyone can and should participate in this topic by bringing cool
specimens found in various locations in our own state.
Don’t forget to bring at least one rock, gem, or mineral from ALABAMA!
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REFRESHMENTS
Drinks: Leslie Amato
Snacks: Linda Griebel & Mike Berkman
Please remember to bring paper plates, napkins, and cups. Ice is available at
the community center. It is your responsibility to find another member to
substitute in the event you are unable to fulfill a month for which you
signed up.
List for remainder of the year:
drinks
May
Harry Corbin
June
Linda Boyd
July
Drucilla Hornsby
Aug
the Sherrods
Sep
Debbie Herbert
Oct
David Bohon
Nov
Stan Stevens
6 Jim Gaines
19 David Echols
snacks
Iris McGehee
Frank Rowell
The Randalls and Jeremy Towns
the Sherrods
Ardis Cecil
VACANT
VACANT
HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY
27 Connie Randall
30 Betty Anderson
Hello Everyone!
I received a call from a lady that has Black opals for sale, still in the rough. If you
are interested I will give you her address and phone number at the meeting. Still no
word from Stanley Company nor Estwing Company.
Currently I am talking with a family member that owns a large tract of land in
Coosa County and if they are in agreement, I will be getting directions and information
to Jeff on the property for a possible dig site. This will cost us nothing but I want to
make sure that everything will be safe and that there are some good specimens for us to
find. I have personally removed silica and pyrite with a few small garnets. I have seen
some crystals that had the same color as a spessartite garnet. This area is very close to
where tourmaline and golden beryl have been known to be found and a published book
on minerals in the southeast has recorded substantial findings in the area. We will let
you know more as the info becomes available.
Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Lynn Stauch, President
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________________________________________________________________________
NO FIELD TRIP IN APRIL
_______________________________________________________
MEMBERS WORK WITH ARCHIVES ON UPCOMING EXHIBIT
Our 1st VP Thad Cheatham took the initiative to contact Ed Bridges at the
Alabama Department of Archives to determine what might be needed for a proposed
exhibit they wanted to do on rocks and fossils of Alabama. In response to that request,
Thad Cheatham and Jeff Edwards donated some of their own collection of valuable
specimens to the Archives and seem to have wowed them. The display will be
educational in nature and should be ready by early summer. We will provide dates once
we have them so everyone can visit the Archives.
They do have a request for one more item not yet provided - some Alabama gold
samples. If you have gold that you are willing to donate, please contact Jeff Edwards at
312-0572 so he can coordinate getting it to Mr. Bridges.
_______________________________________________________
Trivia Vug (contributed by Terry Fetzer)
From R.J. Harris, Central PA RMC
Borneo and India were the world’s first significant diamond source around 800 BC.
The popularity of opal plummeted in the 1800s when a widely-read European novel
convinced folks that the gem was unlucky.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle was the first to record the therapeutic use of lodestone
(magnetite).
The gold earrings once worn by pirates served a practical purpose. They covered the
cost of a proper burial.
There is actually an “American Association for Crystal Growth” (AACG). It is a national
non-profit organization whose purpose is to organize and support activities which serve
the technical and professional interests of its members and the crystal growth community.
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Dinosaurs did not live in the sea. All dinosaurs are classified as land animals. Large
oceanic creatures such as Kronosaur or Elasmosaurus were considered marine reptiles.
Sources: AACG, Chase’s Consulting, BestWebsites.com
(From Rock Buster News, 09/2005, 02/2006, via The Hounds Howl, Feb 2006)
_____________________________________________________________________
A TRIP TO THE SHOP
What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! My husband Gerald and I went to visit
the shop on March 19th. I really enjoyed this and it was a great experience. Jeff did a
great job explaining all the different types of saws and grinding equipment, as well as
going through the safety procedures of each machine. I even got to use the Cabochon
grinding machine for the first time. I can see why everyone enjoys finding out what’s
inside of the rocks they find. I enjoyed seeing Club members and hope you have the
opportunity to use this shop.
Remember SAFETY FIRST!
Violet and Gerald Threadgill
______________________________________________________________________
Not Everything Geological Takes Forever to be Shaped
(contributed by Terry Fetzer) By Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Geological Museum at
Ohio State University.
Many Earth processes are very slow — the growth of mountains, the erosion of hills,
the movement of continents — so geologists tend to think in long time spans. That
outlook is proper for many things, but a recent article demonstrated that it might not
apply to something that I have often assumed it does — the growth of crystals.
Most of the gem minerals — emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds — form
underground, so we can’t watch them form or measure how fast they grow. We can,
however, make some educated guesses based on other information.
For example, the beautiful aquamarine crystals from Pakistan and Afghanistan occur
in granitelike rocks called pegmatites that solidified less than 5 million years ago.
Pegmatites form only at depths of at least 3 miles. The area is rising at the rate of about
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half an inch per year, so it took at least half a million years for those pegmatites to reach
the surface. That doesn’t leave more than a couple million years for those aquamarine
crystals to form.
Another indirect method is to calculate how long it took crystal bearing molten rock to
cool and harden.
A dike is a tabular (sheet like) body of igneous rock that was injected as molten
material into older rock. The dikes in California’s San Diego County are known for
producing large crystals of tourmaline. One dike, called the Himalaya Dike, is 1½ feet
thick, and another, the Stewart Dike, is 82 feet thick.
Knowing how hot the material had to be when molten and knowing the thermal
conductivity of the surrounding rocks, researchers calculated that the thicker dike took
nine years to cool and harden and the thinner dike took just five days! That means a 4inch-long tourmaline crystal in the Himalaya Dike grew at almost an inch a day.
Fast crystal growth also has been documented directly. The ancient Greek silver,
copper and lead mines of Laurium, about 25 miles southeast of Athens, were worked
extensively. The Greeks dumped the slag into the sea, where reaction to seawater
caused crystals to grow. As long as a halfinch, they formed after the mines were
abandoned about 2,000 years ago.
Gypsum crystals in salt pools in Australia have been observed to grow a half-inch a
month, and borax crystals in Searles Lake, Calif., add a half inch every few hours.
Earth isn’t always slow.
(gnidovec@geology.ohio-state.edu, December 27, 2005, www.dispatch.com, website of The
Columbus Dispatch, via The Hounds Howl, Feb 2006)
_______________________________________________________
Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society March 10, 2011 Minutes
The meeting convened at the Muriel Crump Center on Congressman William Dickinson Drive.
President Lynn Stauch called the meeting to order and recognized visitors.
The minutes were approved as published in the Golden Nugget.
The Treasurer's Report was read by Iris McGehee, which was approved and filed with the
secretary.
The meeting was held in another section of Center away from band practice which interfered
with the last meeting. The club officially voted to accept this new meeting room. In doing so,
the television and DVD will be installed tomorrow. The DVD was contributed by Frank Rowell.
The possibility of a microwave in the shop was discussed.
East Montgomery Gem & Mineral Club sent an announcement about Depot Day, June 4. There
would no fee for our Gem Club. Contact person is Bruce Lott.
James Easterling was rushed to Mobile last week for emergency surgery. The surgery was
successful and he is expected to return home this weekend.
Refreshments furnished by Terry and Becky Fetzer.
March 19 is Safety Day at the shop.
Thad Cheatham gave a review of Rules and Cautions posted in the Rock & Gem Magazine. This
was a wake-up call for those who were unaware and a good reminder for those who were.
The door prize was rubies in matrix from India contributed by Mary Lou McHugh. It was won by
Kate Goodall.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Mary Lou McHugh, Secretary
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DANGEROUS DUST
Or SOME STONES ARE TOXIC
Thad Cheatham got things rolling at the March 10th meeting by noting the
noxious and dangerous properties that some rocks possess. For instance, copper oxide
based material contains asbestos and cyanide. He had always known that personal
injury could result from the use of saws at the shop and thus he took appropriate
precautions. However, the article that caught his attention noted that dust is released
into the air in a shop environment. Some of the symptoms include coughing, aching
lungs, influenza symptoms. One single heavy dose inhaled or perhaps even via skin
contact could cause long term damage. Consider black lung disease. Copper,
turquoise, malachite, azurite, quartz, chalcedony, petrified wood, soapstone, tigers eye
are just some of the culprits.
A dust mask or respirator is important, particularly when running the saws. Oil
mist can fill the air. Another option would be an exhaust system with a hood or
ductwork. Even opening a window or having the air conditioner on would be a positive
step. Water and oil evaporates and releases dust. Oils can be poisonous to breathe.
It is also important to change clothes after working in a rock shop and shower
with lots of soap. Never dry sweep the shop! Use a vacuum or wet mop to remove
residue and dust. If dust gets into your lungs, it stays there and you can’t get it out!
Thad’s presentation was well received by members who added some very
positive comments on this topic.
On March 19th, Jeff Edwards gave an excellent orientation at the shop, outlining
procedures, and the proper use of machines.
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Thad also reminded everyone who attended the field trip of precautions to take when in
the shop.
________________________________________________________________
REMINDERS>>>
Bring cancelled stamps to meetings.
Bring spare rocks, gems, minerals to any meeting in order to prepare for the Wheel of
Fortune.
Show your recent acquisitions at the monthly meeting so other members can experience
a variety of different materials.
The shop will be opened only by appointment. Please email or call any of the following
individuals ahead of time to set up a shop work date: Frank Rowell, Terry Fetzer, Iris
McGehee, or Harold Glover. NOTE: the shop will no longer be open on a regularly
scheduled basis.
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THAD’S PHOTOS FROM FEBRUARY 12 FIELD TRIP TO DESOTO CAVERNS
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_______________________________________________________
Links to check out
International Colored Gemstone Assn newsletter http://www.gemstone.org/
Georgia Meteorite Association http://www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org/
William Holland www.lapidaryschool.org
Wildacres http://www.amfed.org/sfms/wildacres-retreat.html
Al Mineral Locality Index
http://www.mindat.org/rloc.php?loc=Alabama%2C+USA
GIA
http://www.gia.edu/3954/gia_home_page.cfmhttp://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%20in%2
0time/index.htm
Where to find treasure: http://www.treasureplaces.com/index.php/Main_Page
______________________________________________________________________
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SE SHOWS (for other areas, click on http://rockngem.com/showdates/)
April 23-24 Memphis, TN Agricenter, Expo Center, West Pavilion & A- Wing, 7777 Walnut Grove
Rd. Memphis, TN Sat. 9-6:00 and Sun. 10-5.Dealers, Adults $5.00, Children 12 and under $2.00.
Scouts free. W.C. McDaniel 901 274-7706
April 23-24 JACKSON, MS: Trademart Bldg., Mississippi Fairgrounds; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5;
Sharon Mc Clanhan or Stan Bennett, (601) 898- 0407; stan@tompkinsdesigngrp.com
April 30—May 1 Charleston, SC Charleston Area Convention Center Exhibit Hall A 5001
Coliseum Dr. Sat. and Sun. 10 am to 5 pm. Karen Havenstein, Show Chair 843-795-2956
fossils@comcast.net
May 6-7 Marietta, GA Sat. 1 pm- Fri. 10 am to 6 pm, Sat. 10 am to 6 pm, Sun. Noon
to 5 pm. The Cobb County Civic Center, 548 So. Marietta Parkway and Fairground St. Show
Chair: Tom Batcha (678) 407-4224, Roxanne Lopez (678) 491-0489 or www.gamineral.org/mayshow.htm
May 6-8 FRANKLIN, N.C. Macon County Community Bldg., 1288 Georgia Rd.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 106, Sun. 11-4; adults $2, under age 16 free; Linda Harbuck, (828) 524- 3161;
lindah@franklinchamber.com; www.visitfranklinnc.com
Southeast Federation Field Trips
May 28, 2011 10:00 AM EDT, Cotton Patch Gold Mine & Campground, Stanly County, New London, NC
41697 Gurley Road, New London, NC (http://www.cottonpatchgoldmine.com)
COLLECTING: PLACER GOLD FEES: The following group rates are for the DMC club
members only: Rate discount will be 10% on cabins or camping for our members and their guests.
Panning for gold- pan for gold at our troughs. $ 10.00 for 3/ 2 gallon buckets OR $ 14.00 for 5/ 2 gallon
buckets. Gold wheel rental with panning material (automatic panner) $ 8.00 for 4 hour rental
Gold sluicing- more productive than panning, loads of material are brought to you to run at a live flume.
1/4 load (+/- 5 five gallon buckets) $40.00 2-3 hours; 1/2 load (+/- 10 five gallon buckets) $ 75.00 3-5
hours; full load (+/- 22 five gallon buckets) $ 140.00 6-8 hours
Jack King, Charlotte G&MC - 704-892-7608, jackkretired09@gmail.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
Club Officers for 2011
st
President:
Lynn Stauch 386-7330 1 V P/Programs: Thad Cheatham 462-3254
nd
2 V P/Field Trips: Jeff Edwards 312-0572
Secretary: Mary Lou McHugh
272-1817
Treasurer:
Iris McGehee
262-7275
Directors: Jim Gaines
285-1988
Mel Barkley
277-2722
Board meetings are at 6:30 pm immediately before the monthly meetings.
_____________________________________________________________________________
General Information
The purpose of the Golden Nugget is to inform members of news about gems and minerals along with
news about club, state, and regional activities of interest to our members. Most important, the Golden
Nugget provides a way for each of us to share information about projects and to pass on tips that will help
others enjoy our hobby. Unless members are willing to contribute, the Golden Nugget cannot meet this
latter purpose.
Copyright 2011 by Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. Except for items that are specifically
copyrighted by their authors, all material in this bulletin may be freely copied. Please give credit to The
Golden Nugget and the appropriate author.
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nd
Meetings of the Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society are held every 2 Thursday of the month at 7:00
p.m. at the Mureal Crump Adult Center, 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S. 231),
Montgomery, AL 36109, Montgomery, AL. The annual gem show replaces the December meeting. Anyone
interested in gems and minerals is invited to attend. Field trips, workshops, and classes are held at various
locations. These are announced at monthly meetings. Membership dues are $15.00 for individuals and
$20.00 for families residing in the same household.
The Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is a member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical
Societies, Inc. and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to
those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information.
THE GOLDEN
N U G G ET
Official Voice of the Montgomery Gem &
Mineral Society, Montgomery AL
Linda R. Griebel, Editor
thegoldennugget@hotmail.com
The Golden Nugget
P. O. Box 801
Wetumpka, AL 36092-0801
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